Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on Oct 5
ZURICH, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Swiss shares were expected to edge higher on Monday as European markets were seen rebounding from a four-week closing low.
The blue chip SMI index .SSMI was indicated to open 9 points higher at 6,159 points, according to pre-market data from bank Clariden Leu CLPRE.
The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks on Monday:
UBS (UBSN.VX)
The position of UBS has stabilised but it still has a long way to go before returning to profitability, the director of Switzerland's financial regulator FINMA was quoted was saying.
For related news click on [UBSN.VX]
ROCHE (ROG.VX), NOVARTIS (NOVN.VX)
The optical drug Lucentis -- sold by Roche in the United States and Novartis elsewhere -- proved effective in two late-stage studies in improving the vision of patients with retinal vein occlusion as early as the seventh day of treatment.
For related news click on [ROG.VX] or [NOVN.VX]
HOLCIM (HOLN.VX)
Holcim expects to return to growth next year, helped by developing markets, its chief executive was quoted as saying in an interview published on Saturday.
For related news click on [HOLN.VX]
KUDELSKI (KUD.VX)
Digital TV technology company Kudelski is trying to take full ownership of OpenTV Corp (OPTV.O) for the second time, with a higher offer valuing the interactive TV software maker at $215 million.
For related news click on [KUD.VX]
ECONOMY [M-CH]
COMPANY STATEMENTS [CNR-CH]
* Novartis - Sandoz launches somatropin, the first-ever Japanese biosimilar, increasing access to key medicines in second largest global market [NOVN.VX]
* Lonza (LONN.VX) - Head of Global Human Resources leaves Lonza [LONN.VX]
* Santhera (SANN.S) Reports Closing of Juvantia Acquisition and Final Upfront Payment from Partner Biovail [SANN.S]
EQUITY RESEARCH [CH-RCH]
FOR COMPANIES TRADING EX-DIVIDEND, PLEASE CLICK ON:
.EX.S for all Swiss stocks
.EXSMI.S for blue chips
.EXNSMI.S for other stocks
